The English word "fidelity"

 The English word "fidelity" generally refers to faithfulness, loyalty, or adherence to something or someone. It can be applied in various contexts, from personal relationships to technical specifications.

Here's a breakdown of its meanings and how to use it in sentences:

Meanings of "Fidelity"

1. Faithfulness/Loyalty (to a person, promise, or duty): This is the most common and traditional meaning. It implies steadfastness and unwavering commitment.

   • Example: The fidelity of a spouse.

   • Example: Maintaining fidelity to one's principles.

2. Accuracy/Exactness (in reproduction or representation): This meaning is often used in technical or artistic contexts, referring to how accurately something is reproduced or how closely a copy matches the original.

   • Example: High-fidelity audio. (Meaning the sound reproduction is very accurate to the original recording.)

   • Example: The film strove for historical fidelity. (Meaning it tried to accurately represent historical events.)

3. Adherence (to a particular belief, party, or cause): Similar to loyalty, but often more formal or intellectual.

   • Example: Political fidelity.

   • Example: Fidelity to the original text of the constitution.

How to Use "Fidelity" in Sentences

Here are examples illustrating each meaning:

Meaning 1: Faithfulness/Loyalty

• "Her fidelity to her family never wavered, even in difficult times." (Loyalty to family)

• "The knight swore fidelity to his king, vowing to protect him until his last breath." (Loyalty/allegiance)

• "He questioned his partner's fidelity after discovering suspicious messages." (Faithfulness in a relationship)

• "The company values employee fidelity, offering long-term benefits to those who stay." (Loyalty of employees)

• "They demonstrated remarkable fidelity to their vows throughout their long marriage." (Faithfulness to marriage vows)

Meaning 2: Accuracy/Exactness (often with "high" or "low")

• "The new sound system boasts incredibly high fidelity, reproducing every nuance of the music." (Accurate sound reproduction)

• "To ensure the fidelity of the scientific experiment, all variables were strictly controlled." (Accuracy of results)

• "Despite the passage of time, the old photographs retained remarkable fidelity to the original scenes." (Accuracy of image)

• "The director's adaptation lacked fidelity to the novel, changing major plot points and character arcs." (Lack of accuracy/faithfulness to the original work)

• "The goal was to create a digital copy with perfect fidelity to the analog original." (Exactness in reproduction)

Meaning 3: Adherence

• "Her unwavering fidelity to her socialist ideals made her a respected, if sometimes controversial, figure." (Adherence to ideals/beliefs)

• "The judge emphasized the importance of fidelity to the law when making their ruling." (Adherence to the law)

• "He maintained a strict fidelity to the traditional methods of his craft." (Adherence to methods)

Common Phrases/Collocations:

• High fidelity: (especially for audio/video) Very accurate reproduction.

• Historical fidelity: Accuracy in representing historical events.

• Marital fidelity: Faithfulness within a marriage.

• Fidelity to principle/vows/oath: Sticking to one's principles, promises, or sworn oaths.

In summary, "fidelity" is a versatile word used to convey a strong sense of loyalty, faithfulness, or precise accuracy, depending on the context.